Emerging Writers Festival
A hallmark literary tradition on campus, the Emerging Writers Festival is a three-day
event that invites the country’s most exciting emerging authors to F&M to host readings,
craft talks, and writing workshops.
Emerging Writers Festival
2025 Emerging Writers Festival
The 2025 Emerging Writers Festival featured poets Kelan Nee and Leslie Sainz, creative
nonfiction writers Katie Moulton and Jamila Osman, and poetry and fiction writer Lauren
K. Watel. The student organizing committee included seniors Harmony Clark, Olivia
Clay, Kezmond Elliott, Emily Hanson, Miles Montalvo, Ally Morrow, Tech Oh, Hima Ramnarine,
Tyra Smith, Carolyn South. Discover these students' favorite authors and genres, and
what they like best about EWF.
Read More »
Championing the Work of Rising Writers
Each spring, the English department at Franklin & Marshall College hosts its annual
Emerging Writers Festival, dedicated to championing the work of writers early in their
careers. Generously supported by Edna Hausman P'85 and Richard D. Hausman '50, P'85
and the Philadelphia Alumni Writers House, the Emerging Writers Festival is a marquee
event in F&M’s literary year.
A Hallmark Literary Tradition
Since its inception in 2002, the Festival has been a collaborative effort between
students and faculty, bringing people together across the campus community and beyond
for readings, workshops, and the opportunity to mix, formally and informally, with
some of the country’s most exciting new literary talents.
Readings
Readings offer the opportunity for you to join our emerging writers as they give readings
of their works. You can also engage with the writers during a Q&A session.
Craft Talks
Get a peek behind the curtain and discuss writing techniques, processes, and more
with our emerging writers. Craft talks offer the opportunity to practice and get feedback
on your own craft as you work side-by-side with our emerging writers through writing
prompts and exercises.
Panel Discussion & Closing Events
The EWF wraps up with a panel discussion with all emerging writers. A Bye Bye BBQ celebrating
the end of the festival begins immediately after the conclusion of the panel.
Student Organizing Committee
An Emerging Writers Festival student organizing committee is formed each year, offering
students hands-on experience in bringing a literary festival to life. Two students
are assigned as "shadows" for each writer, tasked with coordinating visits and handling
audience introductions prior to readings.
“EWF was one of the main reasons why I decided to attend F&M.”
"EWF was one of the main reasons why I decided to attend F&M back when I was just
a high schooler trying to decide which college was a good fit for me. I loved the
idea of EWF, an event to celebrate talented writers, and allowing F&M students and
Lancaster locals to hear their stories and the reasons why they love to write. So
when I was selected to join the 2024 EWF Committee, I felt so honored. This spring,
I now have the opportunity to work alongside amazing students who share the same deep
appreciation and love for storytelling, and I am so excited to bring this year's EWF
festival to life with my peers and F&M faculty to give every attendee a rewarding
and fun experience!"
— Gyana Guity ’24, 2023-2024 EWF Student Organizing Committee
“It's already an incredible privilege to hear from and talk to the writers, but it's
even more amazing to learn from my writer directly as a shadow and have that personalized
communication.”
— Hima Ramnarine ’25, 2024-2025 EWF Student Organizing Committee
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to help plan an event of this caliber that will
bring together creatives, writers, students, faculty, and Lancasterians alike in such
a special way.”
"By being a part of the EWF planning committee, I’m most excited to be in a community
dedicated to all things writing and language. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity
to help plan an event of this caliber that will bring together creatives, writers,
students, faculty, and Lancasterians alike in such a special way. It’s a dream being
able to learn from brilliant emerging writers, and to work alongside my peers in order
to do so."
— Olivia Schmid '24, 2023-2024 EWF Student Organizing Committee
“Learning advanced skills of planning, designing, collaborating, as well as shadowing
prominent writers will allow me to personally grow as a student of fine arts.”
"Being selected to participate on the EWF planning committee is such an honor, as
it allows me to further immerse myself into a new, though equally educational aspect,
of the creative writing world. Learning advanced skills of planning, designing, collaborating,
as well as shadowing prominent writers will allow me to personally grow as a student
of fine arts."
— Isabel Hoin '24, 2023-2024 EWF Student Organizing Committee
An Emerging Writers Festival student organizing committee is formed each year, offering
students hands-on experience in bringing a literary festival to life. Two students
are assigned as "shadows" for each writer, tasked with coordinating visits and handling
audience introductions prior to readings.
An Emerging Writers Festival student organizing committee is formed each year, offering
students hands-on experience in bringing a literary festival to life. Two students
are assigned as "shadows" for each writer, tasked with coordinating visits and handling
audience introductions prior to readings.
The 2025 Emerging Writers Festival featured poets Kelan Nee and Leslie Sainz, creative
nonfiction writers Katie Moulton and Jamila Osman, and poetry and fiction writer Lauren
K. Watel.
Panel discussion with Sarah Perry, nonfiction; Ada Zhang, fiction; Michael Torres,
poetry; and Maggie Millner, poetry; Emerging Writers Festival 2024.
Bye Bye BBQ, Emerging Writers Festival 2024.
Emerging Writers Festival 2024 writers and student organizing committee at the Bye
Bye BBQ.
Craft talk with Angelique Stevens, nonfiction, Emerging Writers Festival 2023.
Craft talk with Tyler Barton, fiction, Emerging Writers Festival 2023.
Craft talk with Julián Delgado Lopera, fiction, Emerging Writers Festival 2022.
Craft talk with F&M alumna Mandy Berman '09, fiction, Emerging Writers Festival 2018.
Craft talk with Derrick Austin, poetry, Emerging Writers Festival 2019.
Craft talk with Edgar Kunz, poetry, Emerging Writers Festival 2023.
F&M students engaging in an Emerging Writers Festival craft talk.
F&M students engaging in an Emerging Writers Festival craft talk.
Emerging Writers Festival closing event, BYE BYE BBQ.
Emerging Writers Festival closing event, BYE BYE BBQ.
